Chapter 1095 - 1083

Chapter 1095: Chapter 1083

Old Zhao and Old Lin, upon receiving the signal, dared not be careless and promptly increased manpower, not only setting up necessary ambushes in the village but also gathering the remaining survivors together to avoid any isolated mishaps.

No matter how prepared for combat they were, as time passed, the truth would eventually surface.

Just as Old Lin had finished setting up the ambush, Duan Chengwu’s exclamation echoed through the hand-held radio: "Xiaotang, Xiaotang and the others have returned!"

It was like a thunderbolt from a clear sky; upon hearing these words, almost all the team members at the base were stunned.

Lin Junfu, who had not yet processed the information, stood dazed for a while before uncertainly pressing the hand-held radio button to respond: "Xiao Duan! What, what did you just say, Xiaotang and them have returned?"

"Yes! Old Lin, it’s Xiaotang and them!"

Duan Chengwu nearly shouted his confirmation.

This time Lin Junfu was a hundred percent certain. He hurriedly stood up, threw out the words, "Follow me to meet them," and quickly headed towards the village entrance without looking back.

The rest, including Shen Lian, followed closely behind, eager to see the team members who had been away for several days.

But as they reached the entrance, Old Lin suddenly stopped, stunned, and exclaimed, "Xiaotang, what’s... what’s wrong with him?"

In his eyes, Tang Xiaoquan was slumped over Duan Chengwu’s back, gasping heavily, his face pale. He looked utterly worn out.

Wu Chao and Shen Lian, who arrived next, asked worriedly, "What happened to Xiaotang?"

"Quan Zi! Are you okay?"

"Everyone, don’t be nervous; he’s just exhausted and has been exposed to cold throughout the journey. A bit of rest will have him back on his feet," Hua Biao explained, unexpectedly placating the group’s anxiety.

Ah, so that’s it! Lin Junfu was the first to relax upon hearing this. He glanced at Tang Xiaoquan, then at Hua Biao, realizing that this was not the ideal place for conversation. So...

"Alright! Everyone, stop lingering here. Let’s... Wu Chao accompany Xiao Duan, Old Bi help Hua Zi. Xiaotang, head back inside. I’ll wait here with Shen Lian for Old Xu and the others."

At this point, Shen Lian realized that his commander and the other companions who had ventured out were not present. But he didn’t think too much of it, just nodded.

However, Hua Biao’s next words poured cold water on the joy that had only just ignited in everyone’s hearts: "No need! The commander and the others did not come back with us."

"What!? What did you say? Hua Zi, are you saying the commander didn’t come back with you? Where is he now?"

Shen Lian wasn’t foolish; he knew Xu Renjie’s character. Having worked together for many years, he understood that if a team truly sent someone back first, the commander would never let Hua Biao act alone while he stayed behind.

Clearly, there was something hidden besides.

Likewise, Lin Junfu understood that the situation was not simple, but given Tang Xiaoquan’s current state, it wasn’t the time for detailed inquiry.

Thus, Lin Junfu interrupted and ordered: "Alright! This isn’t the place for discussion. Since Old Xu hasn’t returned, let’s all head back to the village and talk later! Move!!"

The word "move" brought everyone back to the village head’s house.

Before they could sit down, Wei Yang emerged from the kitchen exclaiming, and the teapot in her hand fell with a crash.

The sudden noise startled everyone. Demmi, arriving right after, hurried forward to check: "Sister Wei, what’s...?"

Halfway through speaking, upon seeing the person on Duan Chengwu’s back, the words stuck in Demmi’s throat.

Then, survivors began arriving one by one from the next room, Old Zhao pushing through the crowd anxiously: "Xiaotang, Hua Zi and the others are back? Where are they? Did everything go smoothly?"

A wordless silence; everyone instinctively shut their mouths, as if bewitched, simultaneously losing the ability to speak.

At the center of everyone’s focus, Wei Yang reached out with trembling arms toward Duan Chengwu, making him unsure of what to do for a moment.

"How could this happen? What’s wrong with him? Xiaotang, you..."

"Cough, cough!" Tang Xiaoquan noticed the fatigue on Wei Yang’s face but, due to his exhausted state, paired with Wei Yang’s sudden appearance, he was caught off guard and didn’t greet her immediately.

His silence and "near death" appearance led Wei Yang to think he was seriously hurt, making it impossible for her to remain calm.

"Wei Yang, I, I’m fine, you don’t have to worry."

"Oh, Xiaotang! Finally, you’re speaking! Seeing you like this just now scared me to death! What’s actually going on? Why are you in such a sorry state?"

"Just tired! Xiaotang’s exhausted!" Lin Junfu simply explained to Old Zhao and then walked over to the dazed Wei Yang, patting the girl’s shoulder to comfort her: "I just checked Xiaotang’s condition. He’s worn out and cold from exposure to the snow; it’s nothing serious. Wei Yang, don’t be too nervous, believe me, with rest and some hot tea, he’ll be better."

"Yes, yes, Lina, quickly go get hot tea, a water pouch, let Xiaotang and Hua Zi warm up."

Old Zhao directed his gaze toward his daughter in the back and gave her orders.

Zhao Lina responded without hesitation, nodded immediately, then turned to head inside.

Though she hadn’t been at the base long, she and Wei Yang hit it off right away as kindred spirits.

With Wei Yang being famously approachable, the two quickly became friends.

Being friends, they naturally shared everything, nothing was kept secret.

Both would disclose their worries and concerns to each other.

Hence, regarding Wei Yang and Tang Xiaoquan’s intimate feelings, she was well aware.

With Tang Xiaoquan in trouble now, Wei Yang’s thoughts were something she understood better than anyone present.

It was precisely due to this understanding that Zhao Lina wanted to ease her sister’s worries.

Yet, Zhao Lina had barely taken a step before being stopped by an arm.

"No need, Nana! Let me handle these affairs."

Seeing her loved one wasn’t gravely injured, Wei Yang calmed down from her initial panic, and after carefully cleaning up the shattered teapot pieces, she hurried back inside to make preparations.

Moments later, hot tea, a warm water bottle, a blanket, Wei Yang even brewed ginger soup for Tang Xiaoquan.

Presenting them one by one, everyone was moved.

Especially Old Zhao, having experienced marriage, seeing everything Wei Yang did brought a warm feeling to his heart.

Who says there’s no real love in the apocalypse? Wei Yang and Tang Xiaoquan’s expressions were the strongest evidence against such declarations!

Where there’s love, there’s a home!

As long as humanity retains its sincerity, holds onto its basic principles, reclaiming control over Earth is just a matter of time.

"Come, cold starts from the feet, soak in the warm water and drive the cold from your body." Wei Yang placed a large basin of hot water down, squatted, and started to remove Tang Xiaoquan’s shoes and socks.

You must know, after a three-day journey, Tang Xiaoquan’s shoes were soaked, unbearable not just by smell but by the muddy snow water inside. Yet Wei Yang didn’t mind at all, reached out, and did it.